Mark Bowers, Li Xin Purple Instructors: Catherine HU, Michael Lai SD5528 Graduate Studio Workshop II
Mark Bowers
Li Xin Purple
Fedja Mehinagic
Scott Smithers
Mds, Interaction Design
Architecture, Construction Management Residential Engineering
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Queensland University of Technology
Contents 7
Introduction
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Background and History of Libraries What is a Library? Project Location and Context
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Define & Understand The Big Picture Our Library – Design Concept What is the Connection between Brisbane and a Food Library? Proposed Library Program
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Design the Interactions Research Insights → Experience Strategy → Design Objectives Interaction Model Information Architecture
Sprout’s Digital Offerings Mobile Application Food Database Table Sprout’s Interactive Blackboard Sprout’s Architecture
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Understanding the Experience
Sindy Scenario James and Tommy Scenario
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Conclusion Reflections Final Presentation
Introduction
International Collaboration Project between Queensland University of Technology and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to redefine the library and its programs in a techno-social landscape with a focus on performative architectural territories.
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Performative seeks to describe an Architecture that is more than just about formal and aesthetic invention. It is about an Architecture that provides agency for particular events, whether expected and existing or emerging and new. It has a connection to its participants.
Background/History of Libraries Libraries have been around since Ancient Egypt and Rome and have provided various resources and services for the people. Today, libraries have taken on different roles in society; they are traditionally repositories for print, audio, and visual materials but have begun to evolve to match community’s needs. Offering reading groups and local community resources, education, and discussions they are trying to become entwined with the local culture. Many remain passive libraries, tied to their place in the form of a solid building, unable to spread beyond.
Architectural defines the discipline context of the thematic enquiry. Territories seeks to suggest that the outcomes and purpose of the thematic enquiries are not necessarily about static “buildings� as such, even though physical structures are certainly part of the outcome, rather it is about the various dynamic and potentially temporal domains that are engendered by the physical structures proposed.
What is a library? A library is a center to promote, spread, and advance learning with the ability to find, organize, and interact with information. It should foster the spirit of inquiry and enthusiasm for a subject, a place that not only preserves the past but also brings it to life.
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Project Location and Context The site and context for the investigations will be the Howard Smith Wharves site in Brisbane, Australia. “Howard Smith Wharves are situated along Brisbane River in a close proximity to the central business district of Brisbane. They were originally constructed as the Brisbane Central Wharves but are currently left unused. Create your own architectural solution to activate this narrow strip of land situated between the river and cliff, which has been used primarily as a mere thoroughfare between the CBD and the residential and other city districts.”
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What does the site and program need? • recreation during weekend and weeknight for the public • rest and amenity to commuters during working week peak times • rest and amenity to CBD population during work day • become an attractive public gathering space for local, regional and international visitors • provisions for crisis context (built above the flood zone, except for the garden) • Libraries are no longer quiet reading centers, but sites that foster community activities and educational programs, among others. Instead of a passive library we need an active one.
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Site Context
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Crisis Context
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1 1. Contour, View, and Noise Analysis 2. Fluid and Static Use 3. Pedestrian and Vehicular Access
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6. Statistical Analysis 7. Flow Access
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Define & Understand
The Big Picture
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In the context of the 21st century and the prevalence of digital media, the traditional operation of the “library” as physical collection of literature and knowledge is beginning to be questioned. Already the way libraries are operated and the ways in which people visit libraries have changed dramatically. In the context of the Howard Smith Wharves site and its greater region there are also significant challenges. There already exist significant numbers of libraries, both of the traditional type (such as the libraries of the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, and Griffith University), and also more recent types (such as the State Library of Queensland and the Brisbane City Council library), in close proximity to the site. Additionally, there are a number of art and history museums in the area. The physical characteristics of the site itself are also challenging to the program of library. To make the site into an attractive gathering place we decided to focus on a topic we feel is a universal language. Food. Health and obesity are major global concerns and proper nutrition education is lacking in many places. By offering a “library” that isn’t focused so much on books, but instead the idea of knowledge, we can create a place that tackles real problems and offers substantial information, education and insights for the community. Call it another variation of the Specialty library, instead of just Law, or Medicine, we provide resources on food.
Our Library – Design Concept Involving people in the quest for understanding food as a cornerstone of pleasure, culture and community.
What is the connection between a food library and the local community? In Brisbane, especially in the city proper there is no farmland or cultivation of any sort. People want to learn more about the food they eat and where it comes from, but there is a disconnect between their goals and the resources available. We are providing not only an information and resource center for locals to learn more about food and its origins, but also providing a valuable community and cultural center. Food is the common language that everyone can understand and learn. Sprout offers a unique library not only for Brisbane, but the world, and its content is relevant and important for any person. Additionally, we hope to advocate for farmers who live around the city limits and to support their efforts we will provide a platform for them to sell and promote their food, bringing the local food connection into the heart of the city and community.
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Proposed library program
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Fostering understanding of different cultures through food, cooking and cuisine. • Raising public awareness, improving access and encouraging the enjoyment of foods that are local, seasonal and sustainably grown. • Performing educational outreach within the community and working with children in schools and through public programs. • Advocating for farmers and local restaurants that grow, produce, market, prepare and serve wholesome food to the community. (e.g. offer farmer’s markets) A database of digital and physical resources and materials to supplement and aid any studies related to food. • Identifying, cataloging, promoting and protecting fruits, vegetables, grains, animal breeds, wild foods and cooking traditions at risk of disappearance. Provide space for locals to learn about and engage in food and its studies with the aid of information, “librarians” or other patrons. • Offer a community kitchen, community garden, ability to share recipes, share stories etc.)
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Design the Interactions
Research Insights
• People want to know where their food comes from. → invites me to learn → provides engaging content that actively changes based on needs. • To combat rising obesity and health problems, education and support programs have to be improved → offers me meaningful assistance → rewards users based on progress and participation.
Experience Strategy 29
Design Objectives
• Traditional libraries are becoming irrelevant to the communities they serve → supports my continual development → offers activities and engagement for all levels of users. • There is a desire for preserving culture in an increasingly homogenized world → allows me to choose my own path → facilitate dynamic content based on communication and preservation.
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Restaurant Cafe Lounge
Interaction Model A diagram depicting the relationships of an individual with Sprout, the community, and the services provided.
Food Study Food Science Food History Food Tradition
“Librarians” eat, relax
teach guide inspire mentor
study
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communicate share recipes teach
Kitchen Cooking Class Food Philosophy
learn
Community grow food
Garden Farmers’ Market Teaching Exhibit
sell
Farmers
Diseases Western
Nutrition
Eastern
Food Science
Cooking Classes
Gourmet
Information Architecture
Club Activities
Health Research/ Data
Baking/ Desserts
Facilities
Visualizing the various services and their connections to Sprout and our 3 core offerings of the Community
Study Food
Cook
Ingredients/ Foods
Kitchen, Database, and Community Garden.
Share Recipies Recipies
Kitchen
Database Community
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Share Stories
Traditions
Stories
Garden
Understand Cooking History
Rent a Land
Buy in Farmers’ Market Learn to Grow Food Vegetables Take-home Kit
Fruits
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Sprout’s Digital Offerings
Mobile Application
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The main goal of our library is to connect people to food, and that happens through various means. The most accessible and obvious is digital solutions and we would develop an app for smart phones that fosters these connections and information exchange. A few of the key interactions and features we want to promote are the ability to connect with the librarian staff, as well as the community. You can search upcoming events at the library and within the community, as well as share stories, recipes, and updates on your garden. Additionally, you can search the food database to find information related to food, or search through your garden details and find recommendations and advice. The network tries to connect people and their food in the most natural way, that it becomes easy to use, and a place you want to come back to and check for updates.
AT&T
12:34 PM
AT&T
12:34 PM
12:34 PM
AT&T Sign out
Sign out
Purple Li
Dessert Comments 8
My Sprout
Profile
Mark Bowers
My Calendar
Western Comments 2
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Fedja Mehinagic
Eastern (Shanghai) Recipes
Comments 10
Food Database Food Blog Scott Smithers
Eastern (Japanese) Comments 43
My Garden latest
Categories
Top 10
Search
Favorites
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foods related to the use of chopsticks.
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an cak e Turner
Offering visitors the ability to use physical objects to enhance their understanding of cuisine and food culture we provide a digital smart table. Touch screen activated, as well as enabled with rfid technology it is able to recognize physical objects and relate back relevant information to the users. For example, if you were to place chopsticks on the table you could see some of the history, culture, and rationalization, as well as favorite
Tra dit io
Food Database Table
Trad it
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Cookin g Clas ses
Foo
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Menu of Today
Vitamin A
Fat
Nutrition Calcium
Sprout’s Interactive Blackboard Based in the restaurant, the blackboard doubles as a menu and calendar. You can go up and search through the items offered that day, including diving a bit deeper and seeing what ingredients make up the food, their nutritional offering, how they are prepared, where they were sourced from, and more. Additionally, it is provides call-outs for the events in the library that day, encouraging patrons to head downstairs to participate
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Vitamin A
Special !
Nutrition
Fat
Vitamin A Calcium
Fat
find out more in Database Room
or learn more and become more involved.
Fat
Nutrition
Ingredient
Nutrition
Calcium Calcium
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Events of Today!
Salt Fat Fat
Ingredients Calcium
Sprout’s Architecture
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Sprout’s Library Layout
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Community Garden - vegetables and some fruit grown. (exhibits teaching how to care for and grow your own food, rent plots of land, prepare take-home kits, etc)
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Community Kitchen - ability to share recipes, share stories, take classes, learn about other cooking cultures and international styles.
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Food Database – offers study about food (health/ diabetes), food science, interactive demonstrations that catalogue food and its origins, and cooking traditions and history.
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Restaurant / Cafe – Provides a relaxing area to enjoy local, organic food. Outdoor/indoor eating areas, lounge areas.
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Parking and Entrance Garden
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Understanding the Experience
Sindy Scenario
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Sindy has work all week, often working late, and usually heads home in the dark. On her way home she stops by Sprout to tend to her plot of the community garden which she has just started a few months ago. For her, it has become an evening ritual. With the gardens lit at night, she is able to maintain her garden, even with her busy schedule. After she checks on the plants she heads upstairs to buy some fresh fruits and vegetables from one of the local farmers selling on the roofs. Taking the fresh foods home, she prepares dinner for her family and they enjoy a wonderful meal that night. On the weekend Sindy heads back to the library with her family during the daytime. She checks on her garden, and a local farmer informs her the tomatoes are ripe enough to eat and shows her how to notice. Later, she walks upstairs to meet her husband who is in the middle of one of his weekly cooking classes. Both have taken an interest in eating healthier because they spend much of their days at work, a sedentary lifestyle. They head home that night and she prepares a fresh salad from their garden and her husband makes a new seafood dish of his own concoction. It is a creative meal, but still seems to be lacking something, they decide to upload their recipe to the library’s website and ask for recommendations on how to improve it.
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James and Tommy Scenario
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James and his son Tommy are on a quest. Recently, James’ wife was diagnosed with Celiacs disease, and they want to learn more about what she is dealing with. At the Sprout library they find a variety of tools and information available in the Database room, making their search easy. Following their research, the librarian informs them they can download recipes and join a forum and support group for people living with celiacs from the libraries online system. The librarian also mentions there are some gluten free meals upstairs in the restaurant if they would like to try, and starting to feel hungry, they decide it sounds like a good idea. James and Tommy take their food outside on the roof and sit down to enjoy their meal and the view, with Tommy declaring that he would like to try and make a meal for his mom that night.
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Conclusion
Reflection Mark Bowers
Sprout Food Library offers a unique experience for Brisbane and the community. A library is no longer a place where you go to borrow a book, but a place where you come to seek knowledge, in all its forms. Our focus is on food, but it truly reaches beyond that through culture, health, history, and more and has broad implications for how its information will be used and disseminated. In the end it offers engaging content and activities in a special library that Brisbane can make use of the best.
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Throughout this five-week project we have challenged ourselves with design, architecture, social, and cultural constraints all through the filter of collaborative communication. Working through a variety of different communication platforms, we found Skype and Facebook to work best. The blog we had started was checked too irregularly to be useful, and e-mail limited instant access to websites, images, videos, and text. Even with the ability to connect with our teammates easily, we still struggled to find times that would work well for everyone. Issues of motivation, work schedules, and expectations all played a big role in how we were able to collaborate and plan together. Beyond just coordinating our schedules, I think the main thing that could be improved upon is initial communication. Defining clearly what each team member is capable of, and not only what they will do, but what they believe is expected of them from the others. We pushed each other near the end, to come up with bigger and better things, to challenge our ideas, but with the time constraints it was hard to execute. If we had initially established these outcomes and our hopes for the project and what we could accomplish together, I believe we would have been even more successful. Overall, it was a very engaging and rewarding experience in the time we were provided, but communication in more ways than one would have benefited us.
Li Xin Purple This five-week project is an international collaboration between two design programmes. Let alone the culture and language differences, we are from different professional background. They do not really know what is the scope of an interaction designer initially, so they thought we are only responsible for some interactive screens inside the building. At the same time, they are architects and we did not know what they exactly could do neither. Therefore, as we collaborate, we had some trouble with work distribution. Fortunately, our Facebook group worked really well, which kept us at the same page all the time. We posted ideas and references on this group every now and then. Additionally, we discussed on Skype in detail every week to communicate our ideas and try to find ways to achieve the outcome we wanted. Thus, understanding each other and communication are really important for collaboration. Moreover, there were different goals for us behind this project as we were taking different classes. So we had different concerns while collaborating. I think the most important issue to improve is that we should communicate more at the beginning to know more about what each person is capable of and would be responsible for. If so, next time we would not be in that much of a rush near the end and the outcome would be even more impressive. To conclude, it was really a precious experience to learn how to cooperate with international partners. Besides, as a Chinese student from mainland, the English barrier between me and others has been reduced a lot.
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Final Presentation
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